Easy 4th of July Cocktails That Scream America!

A multi-generation family in a get-together and 4th of July celebration mood.

The following 4th of July cocktails are about to take your Independence Day get-together to the next level. As usual, we’ve interviewed two fabulous cocktail experts, and we’re ready to share their recipes and photos with our Prestige Decanters community! Say hello to Lisa Carrington, “The Cocktail Maven,” along with Brent Kyrkostas, aka “Bartender Brent,” – lead bartender at Hendricks Tavern.

Meanwhile, it’s time to get into the spirit of our favorite summer holiday. Of course, that’ll be pretty easy to do once you meet with the cocktails below. They’re both so stunning and delicious! What more could you ask for? Keep reading for cocktails inspired by our U.S. flag – and even a few fireworks!

4th of July Cocktails: Red, White, and Blue

How can I create the perfect red, white, and blue 4th of July cocktails? That’s the question we all want to see answered immediately. Whether you’re hosting a small, intimate cook-out or a large luau, your guests are hoping to drink, of course. Raise your glasses to these expertly-chosen cocktails that scream Land of the Free!

The All-American Smash

This 4th of July cocktail is a home run. [Photo credit: @cocktail_maven]

“Let’s face it,” says The Cocktail Maven, “ the colors of the American flag aren’t actually that easy to replicate in drinks without the use of strange chemical products. The go-to choice for American flag cocktails is almost always Blue Curaçao and bright red grenadine. But I am just not really a fan of the strange, not-found-in-nature colors, so I generally don’t use them in my cocktails…”

Instead, she’s all about fresh blueberries and strawberries, and one of her favorite 4th of July cocktails is the All-American Smash. She notes that it intentionally includes only-American ingredients, and it brings those essential three colors we’re celebrating to the bartop.

ALL-AMERICAN SMASH RECIPE

1 ½ oz. Copper City Bourbon (AZ Distilling; Phoenix, AZ)

½ oz. Whiskey Del Bac (Hamilton Distillers; Tuscon, AZ)

½ oz. DC&F Cinque (Don Ciccio & Figli; Washington, D.C.)

½ oz. Iconic Cocktail Co Kaffir Lime Tonic (Phoenix, AZ)

½ oz. Homemade Raspberry Syrup

Passionfruit Bitters (Boy Drinks World Bitters; San Diego, CA)

Local Blueberries, Raspberries & Blackberries with Fresh Mint for Garnish

Mix everything except the berries over ice for 30 seconds. Add berries and crushed ice to a Collins glass and top with your cocktail.

The Firecracker

How picture-perfect can this 4th of July cocktail get? [Photo credit: @bartenderbrent]

Bartender Brent explains, “Nothing says summer bbq and 4th of July like layered frozen drinks!” And we tend to agree with him. July is a scorcher in the Home of the Brave, and we’re all about his Firecracker cocktail. Your guests will certainly be snapping photos, posing with this cocktail “looker.” See the recipe below:

FIRECRACKER RECIPE

Red layer:

2 oz. Smirnoff Red, White & Berry Vodka

¼ oz. Grenadine

1 Cherry Italian Ice

White layer:

1 oz. Smirnoff Red, White & Berry Vodka

1 Lemon Italian Ice

Blue layer:

1 oz. Blue Curaçao

1 Blueberry Italian Ice

Blend your layers individually, and then layer them with a bar spoon. Garnish with red, white, and blue gummy stars, sprinkles, and a candy straw.

‘The Am’ Erica’

The sun can set on this 4th of July cocktail anytime it likes. [Photo credit: @bartenderbrent]

Bartender Brent also recommends this red, white, and blue delight: the Am’ Erica. He tells us that his family always went with a classic summertime staple on The Fourth, serving things up lemonade-style:

AM’ ERICA RECIPE

3 oz. Ciroc Coconut

1 Bar Spoon of Crystal Light Lemonade

Top Off with Sprite Zero

Build the drink over ice, stir, and enjoy. Garnish with red, white, and blue gumballs.

Want 4th of July Cocktails with a Bang?

We look forward to them all Independence-Day-long. Bring on the fireworks. Bring on the bang for the cocktail! Yes. Please. And thank you.

Blue (or Red) Zombie

Fire not included for this 4th of July Blue Zombie. [Photo Credit: Joseph Townsend, Flickr]

“You can’t ever go wrong with fire from an effects perspective, but it can be dangerous,” says The Cocktail Maven. “So, practice first and make sure you are on a fireproof surface.” She also notes that it’s never a good idea for the bartender to be drinking as much as the guests! We hear ya, Maven.

She further notes that when it comes to fire, no cocktail genre is quite as well suited as Tiki. “Fire and Tiki were just born to be together.” Basically, after you make the Tiki drink itself, take the lime you squeezed (see recipe below) and flip it inside out. Set this on top of the drink, fill it with 151 Rum, and light it on fire. That alone will burn a nice blue flame.

The Cocktail Maven goes on, “But the magic happens when you sprinkle cinnamon over the flame. It will crackle and burn like a campfire.” Make sure you are a good 12 inches or so above it when you sprinkle because it can actually burn pretty high.

She concludes, “It smells wonderful and creates your own kind of fireworks. And who doesn’t love a Tiki drink in the summer?” The Cocktail Maven’s recipe includes blue and red versions since these are for Independence Day.

“Yeah, yeah. I know it has the stuff I said I never use. But hey, it has a great visual effect.” We feel you, girl. And we’ll certainly let you slide on this one.

BLUE (or RED) ZOMBIE RECIPE

1 ½ oz. Aged Rum

1 ½ oz. White Rum

½ oz. 151 Proof Rum

½ oz. Blue Curaçao (or Grenadine to make the Red)

Juice of 1 Lime (about ¾ oz.)

¾ oz. Velvet Falernum

½ oz. Simple Syrup

3 Dashes of Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Bitters

Mix everything together except the 151, and pour over crushed ice in a tall glass. Put the lime on top, fill with 151, and follow the instructions above to impress your guests.

Few Bartender Brent’s Tips:

For some easy 4th of July flair in your favorite cocktails, Bartender Brent reminds us to reach for USA-themed straws, along with red, white, and blue candy sticks. And don’t forget to bring your fruit game with raspberries and blueberries. Remember that strawberries do double duty: when sliced in half, they’re both red and white! Festive sprinkles, gumballs, and edible glitter can be great, too.

Happy Fourth to You and Yours!

We hope you’ll be inspired by the memorable 4th of July cocktails and even try some at your upcoming party. Above all, be safe and enjoy your freedom. And can we all raise a glass to @cocktail_maven and @bartenderbrent? They’re amazing, and their Instagrams are equally amazing. Follow them for more libation inspiration!

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